More Civility

The non-economic causes of political trust deficits – The function of trust Part 1 of 2

cat.kutay — Sat, 08 Jun 2019 00:53:05 +0000

Good democratic governance requires those in power to both be seen as both trustworthy and representing voters , effectively and fairly.

Unhealthy Tribalism

cat.kutay — Sat, 08 Jun 2019 00:51:21 +0000

The marriage equality survey has re-enforced the tribal type divides that now seem increasingly endemic in our socially defined political differences.

Redeeming Inequality:

cat.kutay — Sun, 24 Sep 2017 02:26:00 +0000

Inequality – my thesaurus offers eight synonyms of the word. Four simply describe it, while four signal negative feelings and perceptions; discrimination, unfairness, inequity, disproportion. None express inequality as a material or monetary difference, yet these popular definitions are core to the current use of the concept – as offering an explanation for all the problems of the dominant neoliberal paradigm.

Much of the data used to justify the welfare card is flawed

cat.kutay — Sun, 24 Sep 2017 02:12:34 +0000

Cashless welfare unsuccessful and unwelcome

cat.kutay — Sun, 24 Sep 2017 02:07:09 +0000

As I am writing this, with the radio on, Christian Porter, the cabinet minister in charge of welfare, is announcing the local government area of Canterbury-Bankstown in New South Wales as the first site for his welfare recipient drug trial. This is the latest foray into increasingly conservative, paternalistic changes to our welfare system, already one of the meanest in the OECD.

There’s far more to the fair go than just economics

cat.kutay — Sun, 24 Sep 2017 02:00:16 +0000

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has often argued that inequality in Australia is the worst it has been in 75 years.

Interview with Tom Bollard - from his blog

cat.kutay — Sat, 25 Mar 2017 04:35:55 +0000

‘Empowerment’ feminism is not working – we need a far more radical approach to gender equality

cat.kutay — Sat, 25 Mar 2017 03:44:44 +0000

International Women’s Day has come and gone, leaving the annual short burst attention to “women’s issues” in its wake. So now is a good time to look at what emerged from it, and whether gender equity has stalled.

The state of Australia: welfare and inequality

cat.kutay — Wed, 14 May 2014 04:09:51 +0000

In the lead-up to the budget, the story of crisis has been hammered home, but there’s more to a country than its structural deficit. So how is Australia doing overall? In this special series, ten writers to take a broader look at the State of Australia; our health, wealth, education, culture, environment, well-being and international standing.

Creeping spread of income management must be challenged

cat.kutay — Wed, 14 May 2014 04:08:00 +0000

One of the bizarre bipartisan policy overlaps between the Coalition and Labor is in the area of income support known as welfare payments. Labor has been seen as the party that cared about the poor and disadvantaged, but the former ALP government adopted and extended a range of the Howard government’s paternalistic and punitive measures.

Failed market assumptions are undermining care for our children

cat.kutay — Wed, 14 May 2014 04:06:26 +0000

Can the Productivity Commission review commissioned by the Abbott government recognise the possible failure of the market-model funding of many early childhood services?

Smarter budget cuts? Government to target the usual suspects

cat.kutay — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 02:03:35 +0000

With the federal budget in the next week, there is the usual jockeying for headlines by various groups. The interest groups include those who want more for their constituency and those who are scared they may lose some benefits or privileges. It seems that the more powerful the groups are, the less likely they are to have their government support cut.

What Happened To Labor's Soul?

cat.kutay — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 01:23:45 +0000

We've seen a troubling disengagement from politics during this campaign. Why have voters turned away from the Labor Party? Are the Greens the solution?

The Major Parties' War On The Undeserving Poor

cat.kutay — Fri, 21 Feb 2014 01:22:44 +0000

Punitive controls over welfare and cuts to payments have featured during Labor's time in office, because they agree with Abbott - poverty is caused by dysfunction, not exclusion.

Northside Forum | Sydney, 6 July

cat.kutay — Mon, 29 Jul 2013 07:03:28 +0000

WASH, RINSE, SPIN! Key political issues of the day without the spin…

More Civility

The non-economic causes of political trust deficits – The function of trust Part 1 of 2

Archive:

Unhealthy Tribalism

Archive:

Redeeming Inequality:

Archive:

Much of the data used to justify the welfare card is flawed

Archive:

Cashless welfare unsuccessful and unwelcome

Archive:

There’s far more to the fair go than just economics

Archive:

Interview with Tom Bollard - from his blog

Archive:

‘Empowerment’ feminism is not working – we need a far more radical approach to gender equality

Archive:

The state of Australia: welfare and inequality

Archive:

Creeping spread of income management must be challenged

Archive:

Failed market assumptions are undermining care for our children

Archive:

Smarter budget cuts? Government to target the usual suspects

Archive:

What Happened To Labor's Soul?

Archive:

The Major Parties' War On The Undeserving Poor

Archive:

Northside Forum | Sydney, 6 July

Archive:

More Civility

The non-economic causes of political trust deficits – The function of trust Part 1 of 2

Archive:

Unhealthy Tribalism

Archive:

Redeeming Inequality:

Archive:

Much of the data used to justify the welfare card is flawed

Archive:

Cashless welfare unsuccessful and unwelcome

Archive:

There’s far more to the fair go than just economics

Archive:

Interview with Tom Bollard - from his blog

Archive:

‘Empowerment’ feminism is not working – we need a far more radical approach to gender equality

Archive:

The state of Australia: welfare and inequality

Archive:

Creeping spread of income management must be challenged

Archive:

Failed market assumptions are undermining care for our children

Archive:

Smarter budget cuts? Government to target the usual suspects

Archive:

What Happened To Labor's Soul?

Archive:

The Major Parties' War On The Undeserving Poor

Archive:

Northside Forum | Sydney, 6 July

Archive:

Redeeming Inequality: